Partnerships, Collaboration, and
Coordination:
Summaries of Plans and Strategies
Education Service Centers (ESCs) (revised, 10/98)
Contact: Linda Lindauer, SIEC Executive Director, ESCNet Contact
(http://www.siec.k12.in.us/escnet/escnet.pdf)
DESCRIPTION
Indiana Educational Service Centers (ESCs) are recognized as a primary contact and regional resource for supporting local educational needs. As stated in Rule SC-1, the primary purpose of an educational service center is to perform educational planning on a cooperative basis and to assist in meeting specific educational needs in participating school districts which could be better provided by an educational service center than by the districts themselves. Working in concert with the IDOE and other agency partners, ESCs offer a regional structure to provide technology support services and professional development on a statewide basis.
A working document referenced as the ESCNet Plan has been developed by those ESCs who recognize the value of cooperation, the necessity of accountability, and the potential of the existing ESC structure for supporting local educational needs. The ESCNet Plan is subject to
constant revision to best meet the needs of educators as they prepare the students of Indiana to enter the 21st century. While the details of the total plan are rather specific, the overarching concept is quite simple. If an educator in Indiana has a specific educational need, there should be someone, some where who can provide assistance. However, it is impossible for one entity to meet all education needs. As schools complete their connections to the Internet and explore the widespread use of interactive video applications, and as educators embrace new and exciting technologies to benefit student learning, ESCs are positioned to meet changing educational needs.
Presently, the ESCNet Plan is attainable with modest additional financial support. It builds on the strength of the ESC regional structure to deliver services cooperatively and cost effectively to meet the expressed local needs of Indiana educators. It models an effective use of technology and reflects vision and planning for learning in a global society.
MISSION
Seeking to support the learning and teaching environments of educators in school corporations throughout Indiana, the mission of the ESCs is to provide
- vision and planning
- regional leadership resources
- support services
- research and development
CURRENT/RECOMMENDED DIRECTIONS
Planning
As outlined in the ESCNet Plan, ESCs seek to coordinate leadership resources and provide regional support services and assistance with emphasis on professional development and technology. The ESCNet Plan recognizes the approaching needs of more than 65,000 local school personnel for ongoing training not only in using the tools of technology, but in the successful integration of technology into the classroom. The ESCNet Plan recognizes the need of local school corporations for experienced technical support assistance.
Connectivity
All ESCs are connected to the Internet with T-1 and/or 56K. ESCs plan for connectivity to advanced, high speed multipurpose networks via the statewide backbone. With CEC support, all ESCs have on-site or access to Ameritechs AAVS switched, interactive, full motion video service allowing point to point or point to multipoint connectivity.
Hardware
All ESCs have Internet servers and provide technical support including primary and/or secondary Domain Name Service (DNS), web page hosting, shell and POP accounts, and other hardware related services for schools. All ESCs have on-site or access to Distance Learning hardware, including two-way interactive (Vision Athena), one-way video/two-way audio (IHETS), desktop videoconferencing (Internet), and receive only broadcasts (satellite/cable).
Content
ESCs have developed hands-on technology skills and applications training programs and content programs for professional development including (1) integration of technology into the curriculum, (2) effective use of technology in the classroom, (3) subject area specific integration programs, (4) curriculum alignment, (5) technology planning and (6) school improvement sustainable models.
Professional Development
All ESCs have one or more persons on staff to develop local and regional professional development opportunities based on local needs and to implement IDOE initiatives at the local and regional level. With support from CEC, all ESCs have one or more Distance Learning Coordinators to provide professional development related to Distance Learning. ESCs provide activities to develop teacher leaders and support school-based professional development to promote student learning.
Evaluation
The ESCNet Plan includes stated needs that correspond to target benchmarks established to hold the ESCs accountable for accomplishment and attainment of local needs. Those proposed services that will be most visible for evaluation purposes are (1) professional development offerings and hands-on technology training programs, (2) a qualified technical consultant at each ESC to assist teachers in using technology tools, (3) a professional development consultant to meet the instructional needs of educators seeking to improve student learning, and (4) a statewide ESC web page with a searchable database that includes identified local expertise, best practices, resources, and educational content developed by each ESC but available to educators statewide.
DELIVERABLES
ESCs provide regional leadership for K-12 schools.
ESCs provide professional development opportunities at the local and regional level.
ESCs provide technology services and consultant assistance for K-12 schools.
ESCs develop and implement effective training models for K-12 schools.
At the request of the IDOE and other state agencies, ESCs provide coordination of statewide initiatives.
ESCs serve as an information clearinghouse for K-12 schools.
ESCs are Internet content providers.
ESCs provide cooperative bidding of hardware, quantity-based cooperative purchasing and software discount opportunities for local schools.
ESCs offer a statewide loan library for professional development videos and regional loan libraries for instructional media and materials.
ESCs provide weekly van courier service to K-12 schools in ninety-one (91) counties of Indiana.
ESCs provide hardware repair services.
ESCs facilitate cooperative endeavors among K-12 schools.
ESC staff members serve in leadership roles in various state educational organizations (e.g. Indiana Staff Development Council (ISDC), Indiana Association of Small and Rural Schools (IASRS), Project Link, etc.).